Among the most spectacular customs of rural folklore in Wallonia is the Grand Fire.
In our countryside, the Grand Fire was lit either on St. John’s Day, June 24 — the summer solstice — or on the first Sunday of Lent, known as Brandons Sunday. It is a centuries-old tradition.
The Grand Fire carried symbolic meaning. In the Namur region, people remained faithful to the Grand Fire of Brandons Sunday. It heralded the end of winter and the arrival of spring. It marked the end of winter evening gatherings. “At the Grand Fire, the winter vigils go to the fire,” says a very old local proverb. These vigils, called sizes, took place during the so-called dark months, from November to February.
The Grand Fire of Bouge is lit every year on Brandons Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent.
Rue de l'Institut, Bouge Namur, Belgique
